News briefs from around the region

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Northern Illinois could see 10 inches of snow as the first wintry storm of the season comes into the state.

The National Weather Service said a mix of rain and snow Friday evening would turn to snow on Saturday. Snowfall totals will be as high as 8 to 10 inches across north-central Illinois. The area near Interstate 80 is forecast to see 3 to 6 inches and the shores of Lake Michigan should see 2 to 5 inches.

Forecasters say warm ground temperatures will keep snow from accumulating at first but increasing snowfall rates overnight will mean accumulations on Saturday.

A winter storm warning is in effect for northern Illinois and winter weather advisory for central Illinois from the western border through Peoria and up to Joliet.

Central Illinois autism program re-opens with community help

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — A scaled-back central Illinois program to help about 100 families dealing with autism has re-opened with help from Illinois State University and community supporters.

Programs at The Autism Place shut down for two weeks because there is no state budget. The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports the program received $207,000 in state funding in the year that ended June 30. Lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner have been unable to agree on a replacement budget.

The Autism Place serves autistic children and young adults with early childhood and social skills programs, family and school consultations and more.

Karla Doepke is an ISU associate professor of psychology. She says support from the university and the support group Friends of TAP were instrumental.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois filed in St. Clair County Friday seeking a temporary restraining order against Gov. Bruce Rauner and Comptroller Leslie Munger.

The union contends they have refused to pay the government’s portion of health insurance costs despite a contractual obligation. It says the state owes $1.5 million from last year and $11.8 million since July. The union says if the state doesn’t pay up, the workers will lose all health insurance after Dec. 31.

Spokesmen for Rauner and Munger did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The issue affects nearly 5,000 personal health care assistants who make as little as $15,000 a year.

Museum puts 1840 newspapers edited by Abraham Lincoln online

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is making copies of a campaign newspaper edited by Lincoln and other politicians available online for the first time.

In a news release, museum officials say The Old Soldier was published between February and October 1840 to support William Henry Harrison’s presidential campaign. It was published from the Springfield offices of the Sangamo Journal.

The 18 copies of the newspaper were split between four libraries and museums.

But the Lincoln museum’s Center for Digital Initiatives was able to compile a complete set from those collections and put them online.

Daniel Stowell is the center’s director. He says: “The Old Soldier is a unique resource for the study of Abraham Lincoln as a young political operative.”

National Guard commander who led Afghan mission retires

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois National Guard says the commander who led its largest post-World War II deployment has retired.

Major Gen. Scott Thoele (TAY’-lee) led the National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009. Roughly 3,000 members of the Illinois-based brigade were deployed.

The National Guard said Wednesday that Thoele officially retired at the end of September.

Thoele called his time as commander of the brigade the highlight of his 21-year career.

He is also a veteran of the war in Iraq.

Thoele also recently retired from his civilian job as vice president of a bank in Quincy where he and his wife, Paula, live.

Southern Illinois inmate charged with murder-for-hire

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois inmate has been charged with offering to pay another prisoner to help kill his ex-wife.

Perry County prosecutors on Friday charged 50-year-old Jon Mettler with solicitation of murder for hire and solicitation of murder. Those charges carry maximum sentences of 30 and 40 years.

Mettler is serving a 15-year sentence at Menard Correctional Center for residential burglary. He’s accused of trying to enlist the other inmate’s help for an unspecified amount of money while at the state prison in Pinckneyville.

The other inmate’s name is not disclosed in court documents.

Perry County State’s Attorney David Stanton said that the witness is considered a confidential informant. He declined to discuss the details of the alleged plot.

Mettler is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Dec. 1.

Humane Society: Keep pets safe at Thanksgiving

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Thanksgiving is a time when many overindulge, and the Humane Society of Missouri warns that dogs, cats and other pets can also become sick from what they eat over the holiday.

The Humane Society says even the smallest table scraps can be harmful to pets, who should never eat anything that are not used to.

Poultry and ham bones can be especially harmful. Chicken and turkey bones shatter easily and the shards can get caught in the pet’s throat. Ham bones contain enough salt to cause an upset stomach for dogs and cats.

Some people pour fat drippings from a turkey pan on pet food as an added treat, but it can make the animals sick. Pumpkin can cause diarrhea.

Special prosecutor appointed in St. Louis police shooting

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A special prosecutor has been appointed in a fatal police shooting in St. Louis.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that attorney Hal Goldsmith will serve as special prosecutor to review the investigation into the January shooting death of 19-year-old Isaac Holmes. Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce requested the special prosecutor because of a potential conflict of interest.

Police say Holmes emerged from a stolen car and refused to drop a gun before being shot by police. His relatives doubt the police account.

The police department’s Force Investigative Unit does not recommend whether charges should or should not be filed, but provides a summary of findings for the prosecutor’s review.

Joyce sought the special prosecutor because one of the officers involved in the shooting worked in her office previously.

Decatur debating rules for drones in city parks

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — The city of Decatur is debating rules for the use of drones in parks.

Chief Park Ranger Ed Culp told a park district board meeting Wednesday that his main concerns were possible criminal use of drones and district liability in the event that someone were injured by one of the devices.

He mentioned, as a hypothetical example, a sex offender using a drone to secretly film children in a park.

Culp said options could include a ban in public parks or requiring a permit, which would allow drones for things like photographing weddings and other events.

The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports that the park district will consult with police and the county sheriff’s office and present a recommendation to the board.

Diana Rauner’s chief of staff appointed to Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The chief of staff to Illinois first lady Diana Rauner has been appointed to the state House of Representatives.

Sangamon County GOP Chairwoman Rosemarie Long made the announcement Friday.

The 36-year-old Jimenez is a former television reporter who was also press spokeswoman to a Democratic state treasurer and then-House Republican Leader Tom Cross. She joined the first lady’s staff in January.

Jimenez also served one term on the Springfield Park Board.

The first lady and the Republican governor released a congratulatory statement which said Jimenez has a “wonderful spirit and passion for serving.”

Jimenez will be sworn in next week.

Missouri Republican leaders call hearing on Syrian refugees

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State Republican legislative leaders have called a joint hearing that will review programs that could be used to provide assistance for refugee resettlement in Missouri.

The House Budget Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee will conduct the hearing on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.

House Speaker Todd Richardson says the hearing is necessary because Gov. Jay Nixon hasn’t come up with a plan or taken a stand on the Syrian refugee issue.

Earlier this week Nixon called on the federal government to ensure strong safeguards in screening refugees, but he did not say he would stop relocations as governors in several other states have pledged to do.

Some Republican leaders have called for a special session aimed at preventing the governor from allowing Syrian refugees to resettle in the state.